[REPORT] PCB likely to appoint Asad Shafiq as Test vice-captain

[Abdullah719]

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering to appoint middle-order batsman Asad Shafiq as vice- captain of the Test side in a bid to groom him for future captaincy duties in the longest format of the game.

According to media reports, the board has taken this decision in order to ensure that Shafiq has enough captaincy experience under his belt so that he is prepared to take over the job in the future – if and when required. Naming Shafiq as captain of Pakistan A squad for the four-day first class game against Australia is also part of the same strategy.

Shafiq’s appointment is also in line with PCB’s policy of reducing workload of skipper Sarfraz Ahmed. In the past, due to absence of adequate replacements, the PCB was unable to rest Sarfraz but it seems that Shafiq will gradually be prepared for that role.

In domestic cricket, Shafiq has shown that he has decent leadership ability as Karachi Whites won the Regional One-day Cup under his captaincy earlier this year.

The PCB is also pondering over handing captaincy duties to all-rounder Shoaib Malik during some of the upcoming T20Is against Australia and New Zealand.

https://dailytimes.com.pk/304366/pcb-likely-to-appoint-asad-shafiq-as-test-vice-captain/

 

[Hasan123]

Well it's taken long enough to name a vice captain. Ideally I would prefer a younger VC so we can prepare for the future.

 

[asifp]

Yes let’s make someone the vice captain who in 8 years of being in the test team still is not capeable of leading our middle order, whose average has been in constant decline and in all fairness on merit should not even be in the play 11.

Great call PCb.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Good moves. like india did with rohit.

 

[ads101]

Should be captain. Not just becoming stand in captain when Sarfraz rests. See no reason for Sarfraz to hold test captaincy, totally unnecessary. Doesn't matter if Asad's not the greatest batsman, he's one of the few seniors in the team and hence one of the few captaincy options.

 

[Savak]

Azhar Ali admitted he is not captaincy material, not sure what were the alternatives.

 

[moghul]

Yes let’s make someone the vice captain who in 8 years of being in the test team still is not capeable of leading our middle order, whose average has been in constant decline and in all fairness on merit should not even be in the play 11.

Great call PCb.

If you want to cement the place in the team of struggling and non-deserving players , make them captain and vice-captain, well done PCB.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

I told this long back that making Sarfraz the test captain was not an ideal choice when they have experienced Azhar Ali who performed so well that year scoring 300, 200 in AUs, 150+ in Eng and so on..

Azhar Ali was made the captain in ODIs where he had literally no experience but on tests i dont see a better choice in the current pak test team than him... He is more deserving...

He is one of the best openers in tests around the world at the moment who scores runs home and away..

Now thinking sarfraz not really good enough for the role which is quite right...

 

[Savak]

I told this long back that making Sarfraz the test captain was not an ideal choice when they have experienced Azhar Ali who performed so well that year scoring 300, 200 in AUs, 150+ in Eng and so on..

Azhar Ali was made the captain in ODIs where he had literally no experience but on tests i dont see a better choice in the current pak test team than him... He is more deserving...

He is one of the best openers in tests around the world at the moment who scores runs home and away..

Now thinking sarfraz not really good enough for the role which is quite right...

Azhar Ali is timid and lacks confidence, he voluntarily resigned from captaincy admitting he is not captaincy material. He is better of focusing on his game as a player and that is what Pakistan needs from him the most.

 

[Snowflake]

This is going to be a disaster! Asad Shafiq is such a spineless cricketer. What are they thinking?

 

[Asif321]

Should release Sarfraz from Test captain duties after Aus or Nz series
Sarfraz should just concentrate on Batting and keeping
At same time captain LOIs
It seems Sarfraz can’t lead in all 3 formats only weakens his own performance and teams also

 

[alized]

salman butt is rather a better choice albeit the tainted pass

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Azhar Ali is timid and lacks confidence, he voluntarily resigned from captaincy admitting he is not captaincy material. He is better of focusing on his game as a player and that is what Pakistan needs from him the most.

He threw the towel because of mishandling his test experience to ODI captaincy... He was touted for captaincy in tests and was made the vice-captain to MISBAH....

He has zero experience to lead the ODI team. ODI captaincy should have gone to Hafeez when MISBAH retired and tests to Azhar Ali when MISBAH retired.. Things would be different.. As usual PCBs stupid decisions led to disasters... If Waqar and MISBAH wants Azhar ali as captain then atleast he should have had 1 year of ODI experience not just walk in to the room..

 

[ShahidDar08]

Sarfaraz position in all the formats is doubtful. Should be released as soon as possible.

 

[srh]

groundwork for eventual Sarfraz's exit from team

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Typical PCB.

Make someone captain or vice captain who might lose his place after a few series.

At the least Azhar is a fixed fixture and someone who keeps doing well in tests. Even a Yasir Shah is a more safe option.

 

[Bewal Express]

Looks a decent move without any alternatives.

 

[Hawkeye]

Azhar Ali is timid and lacks confidence, he voluntarily resigned from captaincy admitting he is not captaincy material. He is better of focusing on his game as a player and that is what Pakistan needs from him the most.

Asad Shafiq is even more timid, no character, no leadership quality.

Azhar at least has some charisma + performances. And captaincy experience.

Shafiq's position is also uncertain in the team after continuous failures.

 

[iniqbal223]

Considering the current situation, its good to have Shafiq as vice captain for tests. He has been with the team for almost a decade. We can't judge while he has not gotten captaincy till now.

I think, Sarfaraz should give up test matches at UAE for sometime now, and should focus on his fitness and batting. He can make a comeback for full series against SA. He won't learn anything in UAE pitches except getting exertions.

 

[Junaids]

He’s far too old - he’s 33 soon.

He should be retired by the end of 2019, as should Azhar Ali.

Should have skipped a generation to Babar Azam or Shadab Khan or Faheem Ashraf.

 

[Abdul]

He’s far too old - he’s 33 soon.

He should be retired by the end of 2019, as should Azhar Ali.

Should have skipped a generation to Babar Azam or Shadab Khan or Faheem Ashraf.

You've been posting the same stuff for over 5 years now. )

 

[j_kazmi]

Asad Shafiqs performance hasn’t been good enough in the last couple of years. And why groom some one for the captaincy when he’s already nearing the backend of his career.

 

[RickyG]

Should release Sarfraz from Test captain duties after Aus or Nz series
Sarfraz should just concentrate on Batting and keeping
At same time captain LOIs
It seems Sarfraz can’t lead in all 3 formats only weakens his own performance and teams also

I agree. In hindsight it was a bad decision to pile so much responsibility on Sarfraz. The pressure is starting to tell. Make Asad Shafiq the full-time test captain.

 

[topspin]

This is going to be a disaster! Asad Shafiq is such a spineless cricketer. What are they thinking?

This...

The guy is a mental midget as well and can't even handle the pressure when it comes to batting, how is he going to be cope as a skipper of the side? He is not a leader of men but an uninspiring figure as harsh as it may sound.

 

[topspin]

He’s far too old - he’s 33 soon.

He should be retired by the end of 2019, as should Azhar Ali.

Should have skipped a generation to Babar Azam or Shadab Khan or Faheem Ashraf.

Won't happen because they don't fit the seniority culture script, so the tradition has to be kept alive. Unfortunately the trio are 10 years too young to be made captain. Has to be over 30

 

[topspin]

If this turns out to be true, I want Sarfraz to up his game because I will stop watching Pakistan if Shafiq becomes captain because I know exactly how it will pan out.

We've had some awful captains but this is a new low. I don't think I can take this anymore.

 

[Abdul]

If this turns out to be true, I want Sarfraz to up his game because I will stop watching Pakistan if Shafiq becomes captain because I know exactly how it will pan out.

We've had some awful captains but this is a new low. I don't think I can take this anymore.

Won't make a bit difference if you stop, go ahead.

 

[Zaz]

Surely we should be looking at someone like Barbar Adam to take over in 3-4 years time?

 

[topspin]

Won't make a bit difference if you stop, go ahead.

Speaking of differences - the difference between me and you is that I don't settle for such mediocrity hence why I'm not the Shafiq fan.boy and you are.